Vitas
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| Vitas | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Birth name | Vitalii Vladasovich Grachyov (Виталий Владасович Грачев) | |
| Also known as | Vitas | |
| Born | February 19, 1981 | |
| Origin | Latvia, Former Soviet Union | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Composer, Actor, Fashion designer | |
| Years active | 2000–present | |
| Website | vitas.com.ru | |
Vitas (born February 19, 1981), is a Latvian-born Russian pop singer, composer, actor and fashion designer. He is most commonly known by his first name Vitas, or Витас in Russian.
He has a unique style in his songs and music videos, in that he produces music with a wide range of genres- from eccentric techno music to classical opera.
He has also made a mark on Russian television and, in the future, he is expected to become more recognized around the world as he is planning to sign contracts in countries/areas such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong. From 2005, Vitas' video "Opera#2" has been forwarded frequently via the Internet in Asia and he has consequently gained recognition in that market.
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[edit] Biography
[edit] Early life and success
Vitas was born Vitalii Vladasovich Grachov on February 19, 1979 in Latvia. He first appeared in Russia in December of 2000 with his hit Opera #2, amazing the public with his energetic countertenor voice.
He has a brother Vladislav Mironich from the same father living in Tbilisi, Georgia born July 5, 1980.
[edit] 2002-2003: Rise to fame
He had his solo concert at the State Kremlin Palace which has established a record, playing to packed house on March 29, 2002, having been the youngest artist to perform there. Vitas got an invitation from Lucio Dalla, the composer, who created "In Memory of Caruso", to perform this famous song together with the author at the concert "San Remo in Moscow" held in the State Kremlin Palace. Vitas’ voice enchanted not only the audience but Mr. Dalla himself. So the composer invited Vitas to come to Rome to take part in the rehearsals of "Toska", the modern version of the legendary opera.
Vitas presented his second solo program "The Songs of My Mother" in the Concert Hall "RUSSIA", Moscow in November 2003. Two albums: "The Songs of My Mother" and "Mama" of the artist were released for the premiere. The album "The Songs of My Mother" included the songs which are considered to be the gold reserves of Russian pop-music. Another album "Mama" included only the new songs composed by Vitas. In March 2003 he gave 264 solo concerts in places including Russia, Australia, USA, Canada, Israel, Germany, Kazakhstan, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, Belarus.[citation needed]
[edit] 2004-2006: Development of music and image
The album A Kiss As Long As Eternity, released on October 8, 2004, had unprecedented record sales in Russia and CIS; more than 2 million copies were sold in less than half a year. The total number of CDs sold during the period of the singer’s creative activity exceeded 10 million copies.
Vitas's producer, Poudovkin Sergey Nickolaevich, signed a contract in August 2005 with the Taiwanese record company Avant Garden Records, which planned to release a Vitas album in Taiwan in September 2005. However, as of November 2005, Nickolaevich has broken the contract without explanation, thus canceling the release. Around 2004 to 2005, Vitas became the most popular touring artist in Russia. His premiere "The Songs of My Mother" was acknowledged "the best musical event of the year."[citation needed]
The Production Center Pudovkin organized an unprecedented tour with the program "The Songs of My Mother" in Russia and the USA, Canada, Australia, Germany, Kazakhstan, Israel and the Baltic States in 2004-2006. Vitas gave more than 250 performances with the program "The Songs of My Mother" in 2004.
In June, 2006, Vitas was invited by CCTV to take part in the grand event "The Year of Russia in China" in Beijing]. Vitas performed two songs, "Star" and "Opera #2," in a CCTV’s program specially devoted to "The Year of Russia in China."
[edit] Future plans
Vitas’ new premiere "Return home" has been taken place in March, 2007 on the stage of Kosmos. More than 20 new Vitas' compositions were included in the premiere. Many new songs have already become favourite for the fans by the Internet such as "Crane's Crying", "Shores of Russia", "I Ask All Saints", "The Little Prince", "I Repeat Your Name" and others.
[edit] Controversy
Vitas' unusually high register has lead some people to speculate that his recordings are altered and that his live performances are lip synched. These speculations briefly gained media attention in Russia. Vitas and his producer have both denied the rumors.
Ironically, Vitas starred in a murder mystery television series, where he played a pop singer with an unusually high voice. At the end of the series, it turns out that all along his character's voice had been secretly dubbed by a woman.[citation needed]
[edit] Trivia
Vitas established an indisputable record having organized the premiere of his solo concert in the State Kremlin Palace on March 29, 2002. He is the youngest artist who performed a solo concert at the Kremlin. He also presented his collection of the clothes "Autumn Dreams" on the stage of the State Kremlin Palace in September 29, 2002.
Vitas is sometimes known as Bumac which is how his name in Russian cursive appears when compared to letters in the Roman alphabet.
[edit] Awards and achievements
| Year | Category | Recording |
|---|---|---|
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Best selling single Russian Record Prize | "Opera # 2" |
| 2001 | "Komsomolskaya Pravda" and Internet Survey "FORUM 2001" Musical Discovery of the Year | — |
| 2000, 2001, 2002 | Three-time-laureate of the festivals "The Song of the Year-2000", "The Song of the Year-2001" and "The Song of the Year-2002" | — |
| 2001, 2002 | Two-time-laureate of the People Prize "Golden Gramophone" | "Opera # 2", "Smile!" |
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Three-time-laureate of the Musical Prize "PODIUM" for the most stylish achievements in pop music | — |
| 2001, 2002, 2003 | Russian "People’s HIT" Prize | "Opera # 2", "Smile!" ,"The Star" |
| 2001, 2003 | Radio station "HIT FM" Prize "100 Per Cent HIT" | — |
| 2002 | National Musical Prize "Ovation" Soloist of the Year | — |
| 2004 | Russian Internet portal AFISHA.COM | — |
[edit] Discography
[edit] Albums
| Russian | English | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Философия чуда | Philosophy of Miracle | 2001 |
| Улыбнись | Smile! | 2002 |
| Мама | Mama | 2003 |
| Песни моей мамы | The Songs of My Mother | 2003 |
| Поцелуй длиною в вечность | A Kiss as Long as Eternity | 2004 |
| Возвращение домой | Return Home | 2006 |
[edit] Singles
| Russian | English | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Опера №2 | Opera #2 | 2001 |
| Good-bye | 2001 |
[edit] Videos
| Russian | English | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Опера №2 | Opera #2 | 2000 |
| ОПЕРА №1 | Opera #1 | 2001 |
| БЛАЖЕННЫЙ ГУРУ | Blessed Guru | 2001 |
| УЛЫБНИСЬ! | Smile! | 2002 |
| ЗВЕЗДА | The Star | 2003 |
| МАМА | Mama | 2003 |
| ПТИЦА СЧАСТЬЯ | The Bird of Happiness | 2004 |
| ПОЦЕЛУЙ ДЛИНОЮ В ВЕЧНОСТЬ | Kiss As Long As Eternity | 2004 |
| БЕРЕГА РОССИИ | Shores of Russia | 2005 |
| Lucia Di Lammermoorr | Lucia Di Lammermoorr | 2006 |
| Криком Журавлиным | Crane's Crying | 2006 |
